Game



July 21, 1925. 1,547,007

c. J. ALLEN 1 GAME Filed Feb. 11, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 OUTS smmes BALLS Patented July 21, 1925.

UNITED STATES CHARLES J. ALLEN, OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS.

GAME.

Application fi1ed February 11, 1922. Serial No. 535,854.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rock Island, in the county of Rock Island and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Games, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to game boards through the medium of which a game of base ball may be played, and it contemplates the provision of a game board that is simple and inexpensive to produce and one that may be as readily enjoyed alike by old as well as young persons.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a base ball bame board that comprises the reproduction of a base ball field, that is stamped, painted or otherwise produced on a substantial and durable base and apointer, indicator or marked circular channel, by which the action of the batter will be shown and the relative moves of the baserunners indicated.

The invention in all of its details will be fully understood from the following description and claim, when the same is read in connection with the drawings, accompanying and forming part of this specification, in which: 7

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an oflicial base ball diamond laid out on the base and showing the compartment for the blocks or other elements used to designate the various players of the opposing teams.

Figure 2 is one form of means that I employ to indicate the act-ions of the batter and baserunners as well as fielders of the opposing teams.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal central sectional view of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a similar view of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the game board, but showing a spinning device to indicate the various moves of the players; said spinning element being substituted, when desired for the means shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings.

My novel game board comprises the base or body portion 1 formed of any suitable, substantial material that is provided with the upstanding border 2, and arranged in printed or other suitable manner on the base or body portion 1 is the reproduction of a base ball diamond as shown by numeral 3.

By reference to Figures 2 and 3, it will be seen that within the diamond 3 of the base 1, I cut a circular channel 4, and surrounding the circular channel 4 I repr-o. duce various plays that may arise during the playing" of a ball game. The key to the letters and numerals will be indicated in the further'description of the invention.

Along the sides of the board, I cut channels 5 into which the players (preferably in the form of chess men) 6, may be retained when the game is not being played.

As. before referred to, I place on one side, preferably the outside of'the channel 4, the letters that indicate exactly what the batter has done, viz hit, struck at the ball or had a ball called on him, and on the inside of the circular channel I place figures and numerals to indicate the value of some of the batters eifort. The outer. letters are indicated by numeral 7 and the inner'numerals and figures are indicated by numeral 8, while the numeral 9 I have employed to indicate the fact that the batter is out.

In using the channel for the purpose of playing the game, it is necessary to employ the ball 10, that may be thrown into the channel or may be placed in the channel and then revolved in the channel.

Then desired I may substitute the spin ning element 11 to indicate the various actions of the batter and players, and it will also be apparent that I have indicated on the board a place for outs, strikes and balls in order to prevent confusion and enable the contesting parties to keep an accu rate account of the progress of the game.

In playing the game the rules laid down in organized base ball is employed and may be played by two or more persons, each person representing opposing teams, or players on such opposing teams. I employ preferably a set of red and blue chessmen to indicate the members of the opposing teams. In starting the game, one player, upon agreement may either toss the ball preferably from the catchers end of the field into the channel or he may place the ball in the channel and revolve same. In lieu of the ball he may spin the indicator 11. If the ball or pointer, for instance, stops at the outer letter H it indicates that the batter made a hit. The batter then takes another spin or revolves the ball and according to where it stops on the inner designations he immediately arrives at the value of the hit, for instance, the ball on the second spin stops at one he gets a one base hit, two a two base hit etc. If the ball on the second spin stops at FB, 213 it means that the hit was a fly ball to the second baseman and that the batter, naturally is out. If the ball on the second spin stopped at FB Out it would mean that the hit was a fly ball and that the batter is out. The second spin is only taken after the batter has made a hit, for the reason that if the ball stopped at B on the first spin it would mean that the batter had one ball and he would then spin the ball a second time and obtain the value of his effort from the outside designations. If the batter on his first spin rolls the ball to stop at F on the outside, it; would mean a foul and naturally a strike.

I employ the following key in the playing of the game, but I would distinctly have it understood that any changes in the key or the arrangement of the numerals and figures, may be made without departure from the scope of the invention:

S indicates strike.

13 indicates ball.

F indicates foul ball.

II indicates hit.

1 indicates batter takes one base.

2 indicates batter takes two bases.

3 indicates batter takes three bases.

HR indicates batter makes home run.

LD indicates batter makes long drive two bases.

GB indicates ground ball takes two bases.

FB indicates fly ball takes two bases.

FB-Out batter out fly ball caught.

GB ground ball batter out at first base.

FB 3B fly ball three bases.

It will be manifest that the invention is simple in construction, and comprises no delicate parts such as are liable to become inoperative after a short period of use, and moreover because of its simplicity a child that is able to read may as easily and readily play the game as an older person.

The board is so constructed and arranged that an entire ball field may be represented thereon and because of its construction, the board may be placed on any surface without liability of displacing the chessmen while the upstanding border permits tossing of the ball 10 into the channel without fear of loss of said ball. The tossing manifestly will increase the element of chance connected with the game and thereby enhance the game and materially add to the enjoyment to be derived therefrom.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a game board, the combination of a base, an upstanding border arranged on the sides and ends thereof, chess confining channels arranged adjacent some of the upstanding portions of the board, a base ball field arranged on the base, a circular channel formed in the base and in the center of the infield, play indicating figures arranged on both sides of the channel, a ball adapted to be placed in the channel and stop opposite one of the play indicating figures and chessmen adapted to be moved over the diamond outside of the channel.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES J. 'ALLEN.

MARIE KENNEDY. 

